NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez Reflects on Past Four Years, Future of Agency in New Episode of Curb Enthusiasm Podcast

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December 18, 2025  
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NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez Reflects on Past Four Years, Future of Agency in New Episode of Curb Enthusiasm Podcast

Commissioner Rodriguez, NYC DOT's Leader Since January 2022, Highlights Four Years of Record Accomplishments and Reflects on His Career-Long Commitment to Public Service

He Shares Lessons Learned and Advice for Mamdani Administration

NEW YORK - The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) today announced the release of the 15th episode of the agency's Curb Enthusiasm podcast featuring Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. The commissioner discusses the agency's accomplishments over the past four years and the future of NYC DOT. He also reflects on his own personal story of immigrating to New York City at 18 years old, working as a taxi driver during college, and how one of his first jobs was as a cafeteria worker in the same office building that is now headquarters for NYC DOT.

"It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve the people of New York City as DOT commissioner, a city council member, and as a teacher," said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. "As I reflect on the past four years and the challenges that lie ahead, I am immensely proud of the 6,000 employees at this agency who deliver for their fellow New Yorkers every single day."

In a conversation about celebrating accomplishments, Commissioner Rodriguez stresses the importance of taking time to celebrate moments of success because there will always be moments of defeat, both as an institution and as an individual. The discussion also touches upon the high retention rate of employees at NYC DOT, the agency's leadership being over 50% people of color for the first time ever, and the growth of M/WBE contracting from 11% to 37% since Commissioner Rodriguez took charge.

Commissioner Rodriguez was asked to list his proudest accomplishments as commissioner, and he highlighted reductions in traffic fatalities, record protected bike lane miles, bike lane widenings, more bus lanes, legislative approval for the expansion of the use of Weigh-In-Motion technology to combat overweight trucks on bridges, major bus lane projects on Hillside Avenue and Flatbush Avenue, and the Broadway Vision project to make Broadway more welcoming for pedestrians and cyclists from Columbus Circle to Union Square.

The Curb Enthusiasm podcast focuses on issues at the local, national, and international level and features guests who discuss the most consequential transportation work happening all over the globe.

This episode is co-hosted by Emily Weidenhof, assistant commissioner of public realm at NYC DOT, and Ryan Lynch, the agency's chief of staff.

Curb Enthusiasm is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Amazon Music, BuzzSprout and other major streaming platforms. More information is available at nyc.gov/CurbEnthusiasm.

About Ydanis Rodriguez

Ydanis Rodriguez was appointed Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation in December 2021 by Mayor Eric Adams - and began serving in the position on January 1, 2022. As NYC DOT Commissioner, Rodriguez oversees nearly 6,000 employees, an annual operating budget of $1.4 billion, and a 10-year capital budget of $33 billion. Rodriguez is the first Latino and only the second person of color to serve in the position.

In his tenure as commissioner, Rodriguez has led several major initiatives, including the Adams Administration's plan to increase investment in the Streets Master Plan by nearly $1 billion as well as NYC DOT's pledge to redesign 1,000 intersections citywide. In 2022, he also led the successful administration effort to strengthen state law to allow NYC DOT's speed-cameras to operate 24/7.

Previously, Commissioner Rodriguez served in the New York City Council, representing the 10th District that includes the neighborhoods of Washington Heights, Inwood and Marble Hill. First elected in 2009, he became a member of the Council's Transportation Committee, which he then chaired from 2014 through 2021. As chair, Rodriguez led oversight of transportation agencies, spearheading the fight for improvements in mass transit and sustainable transportation - including expanded bus and bicycle lanes and the growth of bike share.

Prior to elected office, Commissioner Rodriguez taught in New York City public schools for more than fifteen years. As a teacher, he co-founded two schools: Gregorio Luperon High School, which supports newly arrived immigrants from Latin America transitioning to the American educational system, as well as the Community Health Academy of the Heights, a school that serves 6th through 12th grades.

Born in the Dominican Republic, Rodriguez arrived in New York City in 1983 at the age of 18. Like most immigrants who come to America to pursue their dreams, he worked tirelessly -- including as a livery cab driver -- to put himself through City College of the City University of New York, where he earned both bachelor's and master's degrees.

About Emily Weidenhof, Episode Co-Host

Emily Weidenhof is assistant commissioner of public realm at NYC DOT. Emily works closely with community organizations throughout the five boroughs to transform their streets as public space. For over a decade, she has focused on strengthening communities through the creation of plazas and shared streets and retooling the curb lane for innovative programming. She's also played an integral role in NYC DOT's Broadway Vision Plan, which employs a range of tools to reimagine the famed Manhattan corridor from Union Square to Columbus Circle, which now prioritizes pedestrians and cyclists. Emily has worked as an architect and urban designer in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, including at the NYC Department of City Planning. 

Emily received her bachelor's degree in architecture from Pennsylvania State University and her master's degree in architecture and urban design from Columbia University.

About Ryan Lynch, Episode Co-Host

Ryan Lynch serves as the Chief of Staff to Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, overseeing executive operations. Before joining NYC DOT, he served as the deputy chief of staff for operations for Mayor Eric Adams, and chief of staff to then Borough President Adams.

Before joining government, Mr. Lynch served as the Associate Director for the Tri-State Transportation Campaign. He began his career as a Peace Corps volunteer in Burkina Faso, and also served as an Alternative Livelihoods Officer for Women's Education for Advancement and Empowerment (WEAVE), a small, community-based organization working to support economic empowerment for Burmese refugees along the Thai-Burma border.

Mr. Lynch earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Mary Washington College, and a master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.